Since some friends (even a Venezuelan who lived in Caracas) did not recommend to stay there, we planned to go to Choroni. Our adventure began right then, when we took the bus that would take us there. Having a nice little drive on a Venezuelan Autobahn in mind we were pretty surprised by a 2 hour adventure ride through the mountains.
With streets as wide as our bus, twisting roads, rain, fog and darkness we felt more like in a roller coaster. The busdrivers here must have nerves of steel when they cut corners, and swirled up the little mountain roads always with one foot on the brake for oncoming traffic. It was a real relief to leave the bus again after we arrived all in one piece.
The next day after we took a little tour around our fishing village we quicky figured out how the money-system works. There are two forms of getting money here. One is at the bank through ATM machines, and the other one is on the black market. The last will provide a rate that is 3 times higher compared to some puplic banks.
With our lesson learned and enough money we did a hike through the jungle to see a famous waterfall. After a hike up the hill, countless river-crossings (-fallings), as well as great varieties of butterflies, snakes and tarantulas we were rewarded with the great Cascada. Altogether we spend 5 hours hiking through the jungle with a little boy as our guide who walked the whole way barefoot (we called him Mogli)! The trip was really worth all the effort and the swearing.
Anna: I HATE !"·|@#'-ing mountains!
The next stop in Venezuela was the Morrocoy National Park, with dozents of Carribbean Mangrove-Islands. We stayed in Tucacas at amazing Panaderias (Bakeries) and Swimwear stores. Here we heard that it is also possible to get dropped off at one of the Islands to camp over night.
It sounded really great and so we packed some towels and mosquito spray and tried our luck without any further equipment.
Overwhelmed by the friendlyness of the always drinking Venezuelan tourists we even got invited for vodka and bbq. The island itself was gorgous as well, with the clear water and palm beaches that we were already used to from Cuba.
We got some deck chairs and sunshades and built our little shelter for the night. We felt just like Robinson Crusoe on a lonely island with only a view other campers and fishermen that were there as well.
It was just amazing until a thunder-storm surprised us at 5 am in the morning. Fortunatelly, there was a little dry shelter that we had to share with tons of mosquitos. Good thing that the rain did not last too long. And at the end we got rewarded with a nice sunrise as well as some hot coffee and sandwiches from the Venezuelan fishermen who followed our struggle in the rain.
What an exiting day with so many adventures!!
Since Venezuela was the last country with access to the Carribbean Sea we decided to stay at the coast and hit the next famous Island, Isla Margarita.
The first small fishing town was Juangriego where we got to know a lot about Venezuela and its government. Following the nice little beaches towards the north and always looking for some way to find money again we hit the famous beach Playa el Agua.
Next to the 5 km long beach we found one of the best posadas (hostels) so far on our trip. With a luxury room in the first floor, hammocks, TVs in every corner, internet, pool and the only guests we found an incredible place to enjoy our last couple of days. Here we relaxed again from stresses and strains from our trip so far and enjoyed the first games of the World Cup on one of the many TVs.
This is also our last chance to absorb the carribbean flair, since our last flight will take us to the hights of Quito, Ecuador. But first we cross our fingers for Germany's first game against Australia.
Alemania los campiones del mundo 2010!!!
p.s. if anybody wants to know about the nice Hostel: www.villadelsol.org
p.s. if anybody wants to know about the nice Hostel: www.villadelsol.org
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